Microstructure and high-temperature properties of SiCNWs/Ti60 composites fabricated by rapid sintering of SPS

Improving the high-temperature performance of titanium alloys or titanium matrix composites is crucial for applications in various high-temperature fields. In this study, rapid sintering using Spark plasma sintering (SPS) is employed to fabricate SiCNWs-reinforced Ti60 composites to mitigate the chemical reaction between the materials. The sintered SiCNWs/Ti60 composites exhibit a lamellar and equiaxial matrix structure with SiCNWs distributed in boundary areas of original Ti60 powders. 0.50SiCNWs/Ti60 demonstrates the best comprehensive tensile properties, achieving ultimate tensile strengths (UTS) of 734.4 MPa, 585.9 MPa, and 263.34 MPa at 600 °C, 700 °C, and 800 °C, respectively. This represents an increase of 17.6 %, 25.8 %, and 20.5 % compared to pure Ti60. The improved strength can be primarily attributed to load-transfer effect of SiCNWs. Additionally, solid solution strengthening from C and Si elements, as well as fine grain strengthening, also contributed to the overall strengthening.